Introduction: Our giving on Sunday morning is an act of worship. Money, however, strongly influences us. In our sinfulness, we desire money and to keep it for ourselves. We want to spend it on things that we think will make us happy. It is no wonder that the Bible says that money is the root of all kinds of evil (1 Tim 6:10). Moreover, the author of Hebrews admonishes us, “Keep your life free from love of money” (Heb 13:5). It may be that giving is hard for some of us here today. It may be that even when we give obediently, we feel a certain hesitation in our heart. Maybe that is you today. God wants us to give freely and not to love money. Our passage this morning provides us with two lessons about giving, that, when taken together, encourage us to give freely.